For Reverend Father Stephen Emeka Aribe, Friday June 29, 2018 will be a day to always remember.

On that memorable day, he was joined by relatives, colleagues, Catholic faithful and other friends and associates in New Jersey, United States, to celebrate his graduation from St. Peter’s Jesuit University, Jersey City, New Jersey.

He earned a Doctor of Education (Ed. D) degree in Education Leadership from the institution and deserved to be celebrated.

According to Rev. Fr. Erasmus Okere (Ph. D), Co-ordinator, Igbo Catholic Community Archdiocese of Newark , New Jersey, who gave a keynote address at the Doctoral Graduation Festivity, Rev. Fr. Aribe, who currently serves as Chaplin at Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth NJ, already had a string of degrees before earning the Doctoral degree.

He had two Bachelor’s Degrees in Philosophy (1991) and Catholic Theology (!995) from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome to which his Major seminary in Nigeria was affiliated .

He also got a Masters Degree (MA) in Systematic Theology from Seton University, South Orange, New Jersey in May 2009 and a One Unit Clinical Pastoral Education Certification from Overlook Hospital , Summit NJ.

He is the author of such books as Healing the Culture of Disobedience – A Theological Insight; Healing the Culture of Disobedience – Nigerian Background; The Hour of Return; and Walking by the Spirit and Rev. Fr. Okere said that these books “are huge contributions to scholarship and leadership which posterity will remember.”

The celebration of Rev. Fr. Aribe, the outpouring of love and deep affection for one who has dedicated his life to the priesthood, both at the Mass which took place at Blessed Sacrament St. Charles Borromeo Church, 15 Van Ness Place, Newark and at the Reception that held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 537 Grove St., Irvington, NJ, surely, must serve as reassurance to him that his labour of love will not be in vain.